Cattle donations needed for Beef for Backpacks program

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The Daily Ardmoreite

Writer

Posted Feb. 28, 2013 at 9:00 AM

Posted Feb. 28, 2013 at 9:00 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma encourages Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers to donate livestock to the Beef for Backpacks program. This program uses donated cattle to produce nutritious beef sticks for the Regional Food Bank’s Food for Kids program.

“Last school year, we served 13,500 chronically hungry elementary school students through Food for Kids,” said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank. “More children are added to the program every month. The donated cattle ensures that we can continue to grow our program and feed more children in our state.”

Nearly 50 head of cattle are needed each year to provide enough beef sticks for all of the students in the Food for Kids program. To help sustain Beef for Backpacks, program participants are asking beef producers to consider a commitment of at least one animal per year. The program accepts both cattle and monetary donations, and all processing and delivery costs are covered by the Regional Food Bank and the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation.

Donations are tax deductible as a charitable donation to a 501(C)3 corporation, pursuant to IRS guidelines. Livestock donation receipt amounts will be based USDA daily market price. A Livestock Owner/Donor Certificate must be completed to receive donation receipt.

For more information on how to donate, contact Thad Doye by phone at (405) 523-2307 or by email at thad.doye@okfb.org.